Missing girl met man on internet

Jade's parents found inappropriate text messages on her mobile

A 14-year-old missing girl may have run away with an 18-year-old man she met on the internet, police have said.

Jade Power vanished after spending two months exchanging e-mails and text messages with the older teenager.

The schoolgirl left her home in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on Friday while her family slept.

Insp Tony Rymer, of Gloucestershire Police, said: "There is a suggestion she has gone missing with someone she met on the internet."

Jade is described as white, 5ft 1in, with straight, shoulder-length dark hair and a West Country accent.

Obviously we were not happy at all when we found out he was 18 Kim Power

Her father Sean Power, 37, and step-mother Kim, 21, have spent the last few days searching for the teenager.

"We're not eating, sleeping, it's constant worry night and day," said Mr Power.

Mrs Power, who has been driving around Gloucester and Cheltenham looking for Jade, said: "If we could get just one message to Jade it would be 'please come home, you're not in trouble'.

"She has been missing for several days now; my husband is not in a good way and I am having to be strong for him."

Mrs Power said she believed Jade had met up with an 18-year-old she named as James Marshall, from St Austell, Cornwall.

Mr and Mrs Power said they tried to put a stop to the relationship after discovering last month the age of Mr Marshall.

'Full support'

"I was sick to the stomach reading the messages (on her mobile) they're totally inappropriate for a 14-year-old girl," said Sean Power.

Mrs Power added: "Obviously we were not happy at all when we found out he was 18.

"We were told last night that he has gone back to St Austell, but we don't know if Jade is with him or not.

"We've been in contact with his (Mr Marshall's) family and they have given us their full support."

Devon and Cornwall Police said the matter was being handled by Gloucestershire Police.

Inspector Erik Sherwood, of Gloucestershire Police, said: "We are keen to find this young girl.

"Due to her age we are concerned for her welfare and we would urge anyone who knows where she is to contact us."